Arts House Limited (AHL) introduces VERSE, a transformative literary arts program designed to engage audiences with Singapore’s vibrant literary landscape throughout 2025. This year-long initiative promises to make the literary arts accessible to all, connecting readers and creators across generations and backgrounds.
Kicking off in January, VERSE aligns with Light to Night Singapore 2025 (17 January–2 February) at The Arts House at the Old Parliament (TAH). Visitors can explore Singapore literature in its four official languages through interactive, multisensory experiences responding to the festival’s theme, Do You See Me?.
Illuminating Literature Through Art and Experiences
TAH’s outdoor spaces will come alive with awe-inspiring installations, including:
- A Little Bead of Work by celebrated artist Kray Chen, transforming the lawn into a glowing field of words made with thousands of glow-in-the-dark alphabet beads. Inspired by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour friendship bracelet phenomenon, this interactive installation invites visitors to craft bracelets and reflect on the power of words.
- Now You See Us? by TraseOne, a vibrant projection mapping work on TAH’s façade. Tracing the evolution of Singapore’s graffiti culture, the piece combines immersive visuals and soundscapes to celebrate the journey of graffiti from underground art to mainstream recognition.
Stories Through Film and Interactive Activities
VERSE also embraces storytelling through film, showcasing 13 short films by acclaimed Singaporean filmmakers, including Boo Junfeng, Royston Tan, and Kirsten Tan. These films explore themes of identity, aspirations, and shared human experiences, offering audiences a deeper connection to everyday stories.
Interactive highlights include:
- Karaoke Poetry: A Collective Reading by Tusitala and Matter.Less, where visitors engage with Chinese poetry in an innovative format that merges digital technology and personal interpretation.
- The Big Blackout, Singapore’s largest interactive blackout poetry installation, invites participants to co-create striking expressions from existing texts in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Guided sessions with local writers offer a more intimate exploration.
Rediscover Literature and Dive into New Stories
For book enthusiasts, Book Corridors feature curated titles accessible via QR code for borrowing through the National Library Board. Meanwhile, the Pre-Loved Books Corner offers a serene space to rediscover cherished Singaporean literature and give pre-loved books a new lease on life.
Immersive Storytelling Experiences
Building on past successes, Cherita Hantu returns with Kafirun, a spine-chilling exploration of disbelief and supernatural horrors, written and directed by Hafidz Rahman.
For those seeking outdoor adventures, Story Walk returns with new tales by veteran author Verena Tay, inspired by iconic Civic District monuments and art installations. Visitors can extend their experience by crafting miniature garden dioramas in the Garden Bench Stories workshop.
A Celebration for All
With its rich lineup of events, VERSE aims to immerse audiences in the transformative power of words while showcasing the diversity of Singapore’s literary arts. Whether through light installations, films, interactive poetry, or storytelling, VERSE invites everyone to engage with literature in new and meaningful ways.
Discover the magic of VERSE this January and join the celebration of Singapore’s literary heritage all year long.
